By Lucy Ogalue

The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, said on Monday that President Muhammadu Buhari would inaugurate the Maritime Security Project in Lagos in June.

Amaechi made the disclosure when he received the Belgium Ambassador to Nigeria who paid him a courtesy visit in his office in Abuja.

He saidthat insecurity in the maritime sector which was now more complex than the world knew had become a concern to government.

The Federal Government has come up with a solution and it is ready to take off. The Navy, Police, Army and State Security Service are involved.

Between 65 and 75 per cent of crimes come from our water and if we are able to eliminate them we will be making a lot of progress, he said.

Amechi said the move wasin line with the efforts of government to curb increasing criminal activities in the maritime sector.

He listed the crimes as piracy, sea robbery, kidnapping, oil theft, illegal bunkering, smuggling and illegal trafficking in drugs and persons within the Gulf of Guinea, especially Nigeria.

He, however, said that if the project was successful there would be improvement in maritime security in the near future and other countries in the Gulf of Guinea could adopt it.

Amaechi further said that the ministry would be glad to partner and share information with anyone who wanted it for the purpose of securing the gulf.

Earlier, the Belgium Ambassador to Nigeria, Daniel Bertrand, presented a letter to the minister, requesting Nigerias support to the Belgium candidate for a position at in the International Maritime Organisation.

Bertrand also said that Belgium had keenlyobserved what was happening in the Gulf of Guinea and would like to be of assistance.

He said the country was ready to give support to the implementation of the maritime security in the gulf. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Segun Giwa

Oodua Youth Coalition (OYC) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently address Nigerians on the security challenges currently confronting the country.

President of the coalition, Mr Tayo Oluyi, stated this at a news conference on Monday in Akure.

According to Oluyi, to return peace and stability to the country, it is imperative for the president to address fellow countrymen on ways out of the pervading insecurity.

He also urged the president to organise a national conference, place ban on open grazing and make necessary legislations to ensure restructuring of the country.

Oluyi expressed the coalitions support the Southern Governors Forum on their resolutions during their meeting held in Asaba, Delta recently.

He said that the group would continue to defend and promote the interest of Yorubaland as an entity of the Nigerian state.

We are here today to openly and formally declare our support for the Southern governors, who met recently in Asaba, Delta.

We are also here to reel out possible and practicable solutions to the myriads of challenges confronting some states, particularly the 17 states that make up the Southern part of the country.

Chapter two of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) states that the primary responsibility of a government shall be to see to the welfare and safety of lives and property of her citizens.

This was why, on May 11, 13 governors and two deputy governors, representing their states, converged on Asaba, with the sole aim of finding lasting solutions to the problems facing the Southern part of the country.

Governors of Ondo, Ekiti, Lagos, Oyo and Ogun were presented at the meeting, at the end of which Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, who chaired it, read out the 12-point communiqu issued by the governors.

The most important of their resolutions were the outright ban on open grazing, the call on President Muhammadu Buhari to address Nigerians on the state of the nation, convocation of a national dialogue by the federal government and restructuring of the country.

The coalition is, therefore, using this medium to formally support the positions of the governors and ask that the federal government takes action as soon as possible, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Dianabasi Effiong

The Rivers Government has redeemed its pledge of N280 million to families of 14 security personnel murdered during a recent attack on security formations in parts of the state.

The Secretary to the State Government, Dr Tammy Danagogo, on behalf of the state governor, presented cheques to 11 widows of Police officers at the State Police Command on Monday in Port Harcourt.

Cheques were also presented to family members of two bereaved personnel of the Nigerian Airforce, respectively, at the Nigerian Airforce Base.

A widow of a deceased Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corp (NCDC) personnel also received the cheque.

Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers had announced the donation of N20 million to each family of the slain officers during a condolence visit to the State Commissioner of Police, Mr Friday Eboka.

Danagogo said the gesture was in fulfillment of the governors earlier promise to alleviate the plight of the widows of affected personnel and their children.

He said: His Excellency, Governor Nyesom Wike deeply sympathises with you. We know there is nothing else he can do to bring your husbands, fathers and brothers back to you.

But he has asked me to tell you that in situations like this, we look unto God and pray that God will continue to support you and show his grace to you.

He wants you to know that your husbands and fathers did not die in vain but died for their fatherland and God will certainly take care of all that concerns them.

Men may not be able to do much to assuage your feelings but be rest assured that God Almighty will take care of you.

The Governor has asked us to bring this token of N20 million each to the widows and children of the deceased security personnel.

Our role as a Government is to always identify with people who make sacrifices for the good of humanity, the good of Nigeria and the State.

No doubt your husbands are some of those who made such sacrifices along with several officers who are doing same.

He also assured the security personnel in Rivers of governments continuous commitment and support as they discharged their duties.

I encourage all the officers who are toiling day and night to ensure the security of the state that Rivers State Government will always stand with you and identify with you no matter the situation.

The Governor appreciates your sacrifices and will always support you to eradicate this recent trend of criminality and terrorism ravaging different parts of the country, he said.

Speaking, the Commissioner of Police thanked Wike and assured of continuous service of his men to the security of the state.

We are happy that the Governor has extended his hand of friendship to us. We have been sad all these while, but today, the Governor in his magnanimity has come to wipe out our tears.

We appreciate the Governor and pray that God will continue to help him the way he is helping us.

We know that money cannot bring back life but invest the money properly so your children will not drop out of school and use it wisely, he said.

Similarly, Group Capt. G. E. Laha, the Commander 115 Special Operations Group, Nigeria Airforce, Port Harcourt, commended the governor for the gesture and promised to continue in the good service of security of the state.

Responding on behalf of the recipients, Mrs Grace Bassey, the widow of Insp. Paulinus Bassey, expressed gratitude to the governor for empowering the widows and family members of the deceased. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated Prof. Ibrahim Abubakar, on his appointment as the new Dean of the University College, London (UCL) Faculty of Population Health Sciences.

Abubakar is a world-leading scholar in the field of infectious disease epidemiology.

Buhari, in a statement by his Spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja on Monday, expressed delight for the unflinching support Abubakar had provided to public health institutions in Nigeria.

He noted that Abubakars contributions had helped in achieving tangible results in the area of control and prevention of communicable diseases in the country.

Abubakar holds a Master of Science degree from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, a DPH from the University of Cambridge and a PhD from the University of East Anglia.

According to the president, the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) trained medical doctor, will bring his extensive wealth of experience and skills in public health to his new role.

Abubakars professional records span from his outstanding leadership at the Institute for Global Health in the last five years to extensive research in infectious disease epidemiology, migration and health.

This, led to his election to the Fellowship of the Academy of Medical Sciences in 2020.

President Buhari extended his best wishes to the unassuming achiever, widely admired by his peers, as he settles down to his new role from Aug. 1. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Rotimi Ijikanmi

The Federal Government says it has uncover about 476 online publication sites dedicated to daily churning out of fake news to fight the government.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed disclosed this on Monday in Abuja when he received officials of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations on a courtesy visit

Mohammed said the latest of the hatchet jobs by the traducers was the fake publication on President Muhammadu Buharis mental status.

It will amaze you that recently we unveiled almost 476 online publication sites that are dedicated to daily engaging in churning out fake news to fight the government.

The latest which I found ridiculous is the one that said days ago, that they had information that when Mr President was in the UK the last time, he was advised to step down because he could not even recognise members of his immediate family.

I begin to wonder how they can go this far, simply because they know that people are gullible and they will make the fake news to go viral, he said.

The minister noted that fake news is taking a new dimension and threatening the existence of the country.

He said the debilitating effects of the menace was not only on the government but on every Nigerian.

Mohammed noted that many marriages had been wrecked as a result of fake news, particularly through the social media while people had lost their lives and many others committed suicide.

To buttress his position, the minister recalled a recent report where fake news almost led to killing of 600 applicants by scammers.

A young man sent out letters to 600 people to enlist into Nigerian Army and collected N10,000 from each of them.

He asked them to report at the Okitipupa Army Barracks in Ondo state on a particular day to collect their letters of appointment.

At the same time, he alerted the Commandant of the Barrack that Boko Haram insurgents were coming to invade the barrack on the same day, he said.

Mohammed said his ministry had spearheaded the campaign against fake news years back before the menace got so bad.

He said the NIPR had critical role to play in ensuring the fight against fake news.

This is where your body comes in because you have a powerful platform to ensure that the menace of fake news is confronted squarely.

Regrettably, however, members of this institute have been found wanting, they have most times place pecuniary interest and motives above patriotism and nationalism

You will recall the sad incidence of the P

By Ibrahim Ahmad

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Zamfara Command on Monday commenced the commemoration of sixth UN Global Road Safety Week in all parts of the state.

The FRSC Sector Commander, Mr Iro Danladi, said at a news conference in Gusau, that the essence of the week was to carry out the global campaign.

According to him, the global campaign was hosted by the WorldHealth Organisation through the UN General Assembly Resolution first held in 2007.

He said that the aim of the week was to bring together individuals, governments at all levels, Non-Governmental Organisations and corporate entities from around the world to raise awareness on road safety.

The awareness will help to make changes that will reduce the rate of deaths and injuries from road traffic crashes, Danladi said.

He further said the theme of this years edition was Street for Life and called for 30km per hour in built up areas such as cities, towns and villages.

It is against this background that FRSC as a leading agency in the traffic management in the country will join hands with all stakeholders to champion the cause of observing reduction in menace, he said.

Danladi said that activities to commemorate the week in the state include; public enlightenment; hospital visitation to sympathise with victims of road crash; special Jumat prayer and church services on Friday and Sunday respectively.

He said that all hands must be on deck to support the noble initiative. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Oladapo Udom

Nestl Nigeria PLC says no fewer than 100,000 consumers benefited from Maggi at Ramadan, with 1,250 homes visited to share healthy food items, and donations made to 160 charitable organisations and mosques during the season.

The Corporate Communication Manager, Nestl Nigeria, Victoria Uwadoka, said this on Monday in a statement.

Uwadoka said that it had been in the tradition in the past 10 years for Maggi to given free food items to support individuals in households across Nigeria during the Ramadan season.

Food items such as rice, vegetable oil, spaghetti and Maggi Seasoning, where distributed to over 100,000 consumers.

From the start to the end of the season, the Maggi team was fully involved in providing healthy and nutritious food products for families at Sahur and Iftar.

Working with nutritionists and food enthusiasts, the brand also provided nutrition education to help them make healthy nutrition choices, she said.

The manager said that Maggi also gave out to shoppers one million gift items through the Ramadan Shopper Promo which started two weeks before Ramadan until the end of the season.

Uwadoka said that Maggi also launched the Maggi Ramadan Diaries, a TV and radio programme which aired everyday during the fast across multiple television stations, radio stations and online platforms.

To support healthy nutrition, the cooking show provide tips on healthy lifestyles, share knowledge about quick and delicious recipes and nutritious tips on Iftar and Sahur, she said.

The manager said that Nestl Nigeria rounded off the Eid celebrations by hosting consumers at a sumptuous dinner themed, Maggi Food and Everything Else.

Participants shared in a delicious Eid experience, with meals showcasing the best of Northern cuisine prepared by foremost chefs and food enthusiasts.

In the statement, Category Manager for Culinary, Nestl Nigeria, Mrs Nwando Ajene, said Ramadan is a special season for renewed dedication to the values of service and sharing goodness.

Looking back on the past year, 2021 brings a fresh appreciation of the joy and privilege of coming together.

We are happy to have been a part of the Ramadan journey, and we will continue to support individuals and families to make healthier and tastier food choices every day, Ajene said.

The statement also disclosed that, Jamilah Lawal, a Social Media Influencer, said that her participation in Maggi Dairies was an opportunity for her to share nutrition tips with countless people during Ramadan.

This year is special as we all recover from the impact of the pandemic. If there is anything we learnt from 2020, it is the importance of healthy nutrition every day.

Over the past years, I have seen the impact of improved nutrition on many families, and many more food enthusiasts have joined the campaign to promote healthier nutrition.

I cannot thank Maggi enough for this platform which I will always support, Lawal said.

NAN reports that Nestl Nigeria is one of the largest food companies in Africa with the purpose of unlocking the power of food to enhance quality of life.

The company produces and markets several iconic brands including Nestl Purelife, Golden Morn, Milo, Maggi and Nescaf. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

The Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) has appealed to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to exercise calm and restraint in its engagement with the Kaduna State Government.

The forum made the call in a statement signed by its Chairman and Governor of Ekiti, Dr Kayode Fayemi, on Monday in Abuja.

Fayemi called for cautious introspection on the part of labour, saying no meaningful progress had ever been achieved in an atmosphere of conflict and chaos.

The NGF also wishes to remind the NLC that its actions can become counter-productive, especially as the last year 2020 has adversely affected workers socially and economically.

He advised the NLC to explore the already open avenue of rapprochement that the Kaduna state government had provided to resolve the matter and join the state to evolve a convivial working environment that would be befitting for all.

The NGF also calls on the NLC to be open-minded toward the altruistic intention of the staff audit that the Kaduna state is embarking upon to sanitise the states workforce and make it more productive.

This should not be seen as a witch-hunt or an attempt to unnecessarily downsize the civil service.

As we all know, all states are at present going through difficult times and the most feasible option will be for each state to device its own response to its unique challenges without undermining the rights of individuals to seek redress.

Activities in the state have been paralysed as the five-day warning strike directed by the NLC over irregular sacking of civil servants began on Monday.

The NLC National President, Mr Ayuba Wabba, said at the kick off of the action that it would run its full course unless the state government attended to the workers grievances. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

The Indian Government, on Monday, launched the first batch of its indigenous anti-COVID-19 drug, 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG).

The drug was developed by the Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (INMAS).

INMAS, a lab of Indias Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in collaboration with Dr Reddys Laboratories (DRL), in the southern city Hyderabad, is used to treat COVID-19 patients.

The first batch of the drug was handed over by the Federal Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh, to the Federal Health Minister, Harsh Vardhan, in the capital New Delhi.

The 2-DG drug was recently given approval for emergency use by the Drugs Controller General of India.

India has been hit by a devastating second wave of COVID-19 infections.

The health ministry earlier said 281,386 new cases and 4,106 related deaths were registered in the past 24 hours across the country. (Xinhua/NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Muhyideen Jimoh

The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare has described former Green Eagles goalkeeper Emmanuel Okala as one of the greatest goalkeepers Africa ever produced.

The minister said this in a statement on Monday in Abuja while congratulating the football legend as he clocked 70.

Dare heaped praises on him and thanked him for his services to his fatherland.

On behalf of the Nigerian football family, let me sincerely congratulate Emmanuel Okala as he turns 70.

On this your special day, I wish you Gods guidance, protection, mercy favour and good health, happy birthday, Dare said.

He described him as an icon whose place in the history of Nigerian and African football would not be forgotten.

You are truly an icon whose place in Nigerian and African football is already assured.

Your role in winning the 1980 Nations Cup and other accomplishments cant be forgotten.

We will continue to celebrate you and pray to God to endow you with good health and long life. God bless you and thanks for all the great memories, he added.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Okala is the only Nigerian goalkeeper to be decorated as African Footballer of the Year by the African Sports Journalists Union (ASJU).

NAN also reports that Okala manned the post for the Green Eagles for about 10 years while also plying his trade with Enugu Rangers Intl FC.

He was born on May 17, 1951 and played for the Green Eagles from 1972 to 1980, culminating in winning the 1980 African Cup of Nations for Nigeria. (NAN)

Source: NAN News